SPCA to fly stray dogs out of Labrador community to N.S. rescue group

By THE CANADIAN PRESSPublished March 19, 2013 - 6:28am Last Updated March 19, 2013 - 6:30am

NATUASHISH, N.L. — Two airline companies based in Labrador are stepping in to help control the dog population in northern communities.

The Innu band council in Natuashish had been planning to kill stray dogs after a child was attacked earlier this month.

But after a public outcry, the council softened its approach and is working with the SPCA in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to send animals out to new homes.

SPCA spokeswoman Bonnie Learning says Air Labrador has offered two aircraft — one for free and another at a large discount, while Innu Mikun Air, a division of Provincial Airlines, has offered to fly the dogs for free.

Learning says she’s in the process of organizing a same-day transfer, which could happen within the next two weeks.

She says the dogs will be taken to Goose Bay where they will be met by a team from Litters ‘n Critters from Halifax who will take the strays onto the next leg of their journey.